Lesdiguières: FCG play there again twelve years on

It is a special evening for Grenoble supporters. On Friday 14 August, the FC Grenoble first team return to the Parc des Sports Lesdiguières, their historic home, for a friendly that will also be the last match before major works.

Kick-off is at 7pm, against neighbours Valence-Romans. Used since 2014 for professional training sessions and matches involving the club’s other sections, the Parc des Sports Lesdiguières will then be completely rebuilt as a training centre.

Twelve years after the move to the Stade des Alpes

FCG were still splitting their games between their century-old ground and the Stade des Alpes until June 2014, when they moved out for good. “It’s getting a long way back in our memories, but it’s always nice,” a supporter who came to watch Thursday’s training session told France Bleu Isère. He had not seen a match there for so long that he could no longer remember the year.

The ground hosted top-level rugby for decades: in November 2002, FCG welcomed USAP there in the cup and lost 17-30. Nor has it been abandoned since 2014: the Grenoble Amazones played there in the spring, with two wins in the French championship, 22-20 against Lille on 23 May and 26-17 against Blagnac on 7 June.

An eighth straight season in Pro D2

On the pitch, FCG are starting their eighth consecutive campaign in the second tier. Their last Top 14 season was 2018-2019, which ended with five wins from 26 rounds. Last year, the Grenoble side finished the regular season with 14 wins, 16 defeats and 62 points from 30 rounds.